FAMILY TIES

Fifteen family-owned cigar companies

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Familial ties are strong in the handmade cigar industry, some of which have lasted more than a century. The knowledge and traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation are more than just sentimental marketing buzzwords—they are the very real guiding principles that give this beloved business so much character. With every cigar, a family reputation is at stake, and this is taken very seriously. The Fuente and Padrón families have exemplified this notion, and here are 15 more cigar companies that have kept it all in the family.

—Gregory Mottola

A.J. Fernandez

With the help of his cousin, Nestor Plasencia, A.J. Fernandez was able to get a modest start rolling cigars at his home in Nicaragua. He grew at a meteoric rate, both as cigarmaker and grower of tobacco, and sought the help of his father, Ismael, a tobacco veteran who's been working with Fernandez since 2014.

Alec Bradley

Alan Rubin worked with his father in a separate industry before founding Alec Bradley Cigar Co. Now, Rubin passes his knowledge to his sons Alec and Bradley.

They play crucial roles alongside their father, who named the company after them long before anyone knew Alec or Bradley would have a future in cigars.

Ashton Distributors Inc.

Ashton has many facets: brick-and-mortar retailer, online vendor, owner of several cigar brands. And Robert Levin can't run it all alone. His father bought Holts Cigar Co. in the 1950s and Levin took it over in the '70s. Today as chairman, he runs it with his son, Sathya, who is company president, while his daughter, Meera, is vice president of administration and international sales.